A-A-59588
What Is A-A-59588?
A-A-59588 is a commercial item description for silicone rubber used in aerospace, defense, and other demanding industrial applications. It defines silicone rubber by class and grade, with requirements related to temperature resistance, compression set, tear resistance, flex fatigue performance, and other key physical characteristics.
It superseded the earlier ZZ-R-765 designation and remains the current reference for these silicone rubber classifications.
This specification is commonly used when selecting silicone rubber materials for custom components that must perform reliably in demanding service conditions. It is relevant for a wide range of converted, fabricated, extruded, and molded silicone rubber products.
A-A-59588 is commonly used for aerospace, military, and defense silicone rubber requirements. We can manufacture customized gaskets, seals, O-rings, extruded profiles, and molded components under the required class and grade. The team can also reverse engineer silicone rubber parts from samples, drawings, or application requirements.
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Key Features Of A-A-59588 Silicone Rubber
Current Silicone Rubber Specification
A-A-59588 is the current reference that replaced ZZ-R-765 for silicone rubber materials.
Six Material Classes
The specification includes Class 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B silicone rubber materials.
Multiple Grade Options
Different grade ranges are available based on nominal Shore A durometer, depending on the class selected.
Performance Driven Material Selection
These materials are chosen where temperature resistance, compression performance, durability, and long term reliability are important.
Product Applications For A-A-59588 Silicone Rubber
A-A-59588 silicone rubber is used in demanding environments where the material must maintain sealing performance, flexibility, and durability across a wide operating range. Depending on the class and grade selected, it can be used for:
Closure Seals and Strip Seals: For environmental sealing and enclosure protection.
Customized Gaskets: For aerospace, defense, industrial, food grade, and specialty applications where the finished part must match the required class, grade, hardness, and fit.
Silicone Sheeting: For barrier, lining, and custom cut part requirements.
Sponge Pads and Cushioning Components: For insulation, gap filling, and impact absorption.
- Cord Stock and Custom Profiles: For sealing, edge protection, and application specific designs.
- Die Cut Parts: For precise custom components used in isolation and sealing applications.
- Water Jet Cut Parts: For complex shapes requiring clean and accurate conversion.
- Molded Silicone Components: For formed parts with defined functional requirements.
These forms are selected where the finished part must match both the service environment and the performance demands of the application.
Available Grades By Class
Under A-A-59588, the class and grade system is tied to nominal Shore A durometer. Common grade ranges are:
- Class 1A: Grades 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
- Class 1B: Grades 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
- Class 2A: Grades 25, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
- Class 2B: Grades 40, 50, 60, 70, 80.
- Class 3A: Grades 30, 50, 60.
- Class 3B: Grades 30, 50, 60, 70, 80.
A-A-59588 Specification Overview
For projects based on legacy drawings or older material callouts, A-A-59588 may need to be reviewed against the earlier ZZ-R-765 designation.
We can help convert material requirements into finished parts such as customized gaskets, seals, extrusions, sponge components, and molded silicone parts. Related references include ZZ-R-765 and A-A-59588 grade silicone rubber.
| Category : | Details: |
| Standard | A-A-59588 |
| Type | Commercial item description for silicone rubber |
| Supersedes | ZZ-R-765 |
| Number of Classes | 6 |
| Class Range | 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B |
| Grade Basis | Nominal Shore A durometer |
| Common Use Areas | Aerospace, defense, and demanding industrial applications |
Performance Characteristics Of A-A-59588 Silicone Rubber
A-A-59588 materials are often selected for aerospace, military, and defense parts, but silicone rubber components may also be developed for food, medical, automotive, industrial, and flame resistant applications when the correct compound and documentation are specified.
Food grade silicone may require FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, NSF 51 compounds, metal detectable silicone, or X-ray detectable silicone. Medical and pharmaceutical silicone parts may require USP Class VI Section 87 and 88 materials.
A-A-59588 silicone rubber materials are selected for performance characteristics such as:
high temperature resistance.
low temperature flexibility.
low compression set.
tear resistance.
flex fatigue resistance.
long term sealing performance.
durability in demanding environments.
Not all classes are intended for the same service conditions. Class 1 materials are suited to very low temperature performance. Class 2 materials are selected for high temperature resistance. Class 3 materials are chosen where tear resistance and flex fatigue performance are important.
Class Structure Under A-A-59588
A-A-59588 includes six classes of silicone rubber, with each class designed to support a different performance profile.
| Class | General Description | Typical Temperature Profile |
| Class 1A | Low temperature resistant | Approx. -100°F to 425°F |
| Class 1B | Low temperature resistant, low compression set at high temperature | Approx. -100°F to 425°F |
| Class 2A | High temperature resistant | Approx. -80°F to 425°F |
| Class 2B | High temperature resistant, low compression set | Approx. -80°F to 425°F |
| Class 3A | Low temperature resistant, tear resistant, flex fatigue resistant | Approx. -103°F to 400°F |
| Class 3B | Tear resistant, flex fatigue resistant | Approx. -95°F to 400°F |
Class Details For A-A-59588 Silicone Rubber
- Class 1A: Intended for applications requiring strong low temperature resistance along with dependable high temperature performance.
- Class 1B: Similar to Class 1A, with added focus on low compression set at high temperature.
- Class 2A: Intended for applications where high temperature resistance is important, together with dependable overall silicone performance.
- Class 2B: Similar to Class 2A, but selected where lower compression set is also required.
- Class 3A: Intended for applications requiring very low temperature resistance together with tear resistance and flex fatigue performance.
- Class 3B: Used where tear resistance and flex fatigue resistance are important, along with dependable overall durability.
Related Aerospace And Material Specifications
ZZ-R-765: The earlier military designation that was superseded by A-A-59588.
AS9100D: Relevant where silicone rubber products are manufactured under an aerospace quality management system.
AMS Specifications: Certain aerospace parts may also reference AMS material requirements depending on the product type, hardness, and end use.
Related Industry Standards And Grade Options
Different applications may require different quality systems, material grades, and documentation.
Aerospace: AS9100D, ZZ-R-765, and A-A-59588 are used for aerospace, military, and defense silicone rubber requirements.
Pharma And Medical: USP Class VI Section 87 and 88 materials support medical and pharmaceutical silicone applications.
Food: FDA 21 CFR 177.2600, NSF 51, solid FDA grade white silicone, metal detectable silicone, and X-ray detectable silicone support food grade requirements.
- Automotive: IATF quality management supports automotive silicone and rubber component projects.
- General Industrial: ISO 9000 supports consistent production for seals, gaskets, profiles, and molded silicone parts.
- Sponge And Specialty Grades: Options such as AMS3195 medium silicone sponge, AMS3196 firm density silicone sponge, and UL 94 V-0 flame retardant silicone sponge support sealing, cushioning, insulation, and flame resistant applications.
Why A-A-59588 Matters To Aerospace And Defense Buyers
For aerospace and defense buyers, A-A-59588 provides a recognized framework for selecting silicone rubber materials by performance class and hardness grade. It helps narrow material selection based on whether the application needs very low temperature resistance, high temperature resistance, low compression set, or improved tear and flex fatigue performance.
This is especially important in aerospace, defense, and other demanding industries where the material must do more than match a drawing. It must also perform reliably in the actual service environment of the finished component.
Why Choose Elastostar Rubber Corporation For A-A-59588 Requirements?
Elastostar Rubber Corporation is a custom manufacturer of A-A-59588 silicone rubber products for demanding industries where quality, consistency, and performance matter. With a large manufacturing facility, custom manufacturing capabilities, and Made in USA production, the company supplies dependable silicone rubber solutions for A-A-59588 class and grade requirements.
We also supports reverse engineered silicone components and customized gaskets for aerospace, defense, military, industrial, food grade, and specialty applications. From material review to finished part production, the team helps convert A-A-59588 class and grade requirements into dependable silicone rubber products.
For aerospace, defense, and industrial buyers, selecting the right silicone class is only part of the decision. Converting the right A-A-59588 material into a dependable finished part with the required form, fit, and performance is just as important.
